Reaction product of an organometallic compound and an aminopolyol

ABSTRACT

A catalytic composition which is the reaction product of an organometallic compound and an aminopolyol, the polymerization of an epoxide compound with such catalytic composition, and the epoxide polymer obtained therefrom.

llite States Patent I [191 Guillot [451 Dec. 24, 1974 REACTION PRODUCT OF AN ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUND AND AN Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 80,799, Oct. 14, I970, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl 260/429.9, 252/431 N, 260/429 R, 260/448 A, 260/665 R [51] Int. Cl. C07f 3/06 [58] Field of Search 260/429.9, 665 R, 448 A,

260/429 R, 329 ME; 252/431 N [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,081,286 3/1963 McKinnis 260/448 A 8/l966 Nudenberg et al. 260/665 3,264,360 3,652,619 3/1972v Jones 260/429.9

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 69-1232 l/l969 Japan OTHER PUBLICATIONS Chem. Abstracts, Vol. 43, pp. 4,6664,667 (I949). Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 67, l08727q (1967). Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 70, 97399t, 97400m, 9740ln, 97402p, 97,403q (1969).

Primary ExaminerHelen M. S. Sneed Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert J. Patterson, Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT A catalytic composition which is the reaction product of an organometallic compound and an'aminopolyol, the polymerization of an epoxide compound with such catalytic composition, and the epoxide polymer obtained therefrom.

16 Claims, N0 Drawings REACTION PRODUCT OF AN ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUND AND AN AMI-NOPOLYOL CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of application Ser. No. 80,799, filed Oct. 14, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,870. I

This invention relates to a new and improved catalyst for polymerizing epoxide compounds.

More specifically, this invention teaches the use of a catalyst prepared by reacting an organometallic compound, such as diphenylmagnesium, with an aminopolyol, as hereinafter defined.

The catalysts of the invention are particularly useful because high conversions to high molecular weight polymers may be obtained, at moderate temperatures.

The product obtained is largely stereoregular, having very little amorphous polymer with some catalysts of the invention, whereas other catalysts of the invention produce more amorphous polymer. The product has minimal amounts of low molecular weight cyclic oIigomers; and, because low catalyst levels may be used, has only small amounts of catalyst residue.

Another advantage of the catalyst is that diarylmagnesium (especially diphenylmagnesium) can be used to give high molecular weight polymers similar to those obtained with dialkylmagnesium. (Others have not been able to do this with diphenylmagnesium).

Still further advantages of the catalyst are its ease of preparation, stability, and tolerance of halogen compounds.

The organometallic catalysts which can be employed in the polymerization reaction are characterized by the formula shown below:

ble, e.g., magnesium, zinc, aluminum, calcium, cadmium, strontium, gallium, and barium; andwherein R is any hydrocarbon radical, e.g., alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, and cyclalkyl and R is sameas R or H,O R, -IIR2 ,-SR. It is preferred that R and R contain-from l to 14 carbon atoms. In addition, R can be halogen such as chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine.'Typical R and R radicals include, among others, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, 2-ethylhexyl, dodecyl, octadecyl, phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, phenylbutyl, benzyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, 3- propylcyclohexyl.

The dialkyl and trialkyl metals and diaryl metals are eminently suitable as catalysts for the novel process described herein. Dialkyl and diaryl magnesium, dialkylzinc and trialkylaluminum are especially preferred catalyst subclasses.

Illustrative examples of organometallic catalysts. that are contemplated include, for instance, dimethylmagnesium, diethylmagnesium, dipropylmagnesium, diiso propylmagnesium, dibutylmagnesium, diisobutylmagnesium, di-n-octylmagnesium, diphenylmagnesium, di-p-.tolyI-magnesium, di-o-tolylmagnesium, dithienylmagnesium, ethylmagnesium iodide, diethylzinc, dipropylzinc, dibutylzinc, dioctadecylzinc, butylzmc chloride, butylzinc bromide. octylzinc chloride, diphenylzinc, di-o-tolylzinc, trimethylgallium, triethylgallium, triphenylgallium, diisoamylcadmium, dipropylcadmium, diethylcadmium, dicyclohexylzinc and triisopropylaluminum.

Theorganomagnesium compounds may be prepared by the common procedures. Especially useful is the organomagnesium compounds prepared in chlorohenzenev according to US. Pat. No. 3,264,360 or prepared by transmetallation of the corresponding organomcrcury compound in an ether solvent. High purity materials should be used in all cases.

The aminopolyol is a 2-amino-l,3-propanediol or a 3-amino-1 ,2-propanediol:

corresponding to one of the general formulas:

(5H 1 1R; OH rim '2 ()H on where R is hydrogen; and alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and aryl group having 1 to 4 rings; or a substituted alkyl or aryl group wherein the substituents are selected from hydroxyl, halo, phenyl, halophenyl, and alkoxy and alkylthio containing l to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of the substituents are methyl. ethyl,

propyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, benzyl, phenyl, chlorophenyl, alkenylphenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, 2-chloromethyl-2-propyl, methylthio, thienyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine. The R groups may be the same or different.

Exemplary of the aminopolyols are: 3-amino-l ,2-propanediol 3-amino-2-methyl-l ,Z-propanediol 3-amino-l ,Z-butanediol l-amino-2,3-butanediol 3-amino-l ,2-pentanediol 2-o-tolyl-3-aminol ,2-propanediol 4-o-tolyl-3-amino-l,Z-butanediol 4-p-tolyl-3-aminol ,2-butanediol 4-m-tolyl-3-aminol ,Z-butanediol 3-N-methylamino-l ,2-propanediol 3-N,N-dimethylamino-l ,2-propanediol 3-N,N-diethylaminol ,2-propanediol 3-N-ethylamino-l ,2-propanediol 3-N,N diisobuty|amino-l ,2-propanediol 3-N-cyclohexylamino-l ,2-propanediol l-phenyl-3-amino-l ,2-propanediol 2-amino-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-methyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-ethyl l,3-propanediol 2amino-2-propyll ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-isopropyll ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-butyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-pentyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-benzyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-phenyl-l ,3-propanediol 2amino-2-p-tolyl-l,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-a-thienyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-(2-chloromethyl-2-propyl )-l ,3-

propanediol Z-aminol ,S-butanediol Z-amino-l ,3-pentanediol l-phenyl-Zamino-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-l-p-tolyl-1,3-propanediol Z-amino-l-m-tolyl-l,31propanediol Z-aininol -o-tolyll ,3-propanediol 2-amino- 1 -a-thienyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-aminol -methylthio-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-4-phenyl l ,3-butanediol Z-N-methylamino-l ,3-propanediol 2-N,N-dimethylamino-l ,3-propanediol 2-N,N-diethylamino-l ,3propanediol 3 ,N-diisopropylamino-l ,3-propanediol methylamino-2-methyl-l,3-propanediol methylamino-2-ethyl-l ,3-propanediol ,N-dimethylamino-2-methyl-l ,3-propanediol ,N-diethylamino-Z-methyl-l ,3-propanediol N,N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-N,N-diethylamino-2-ethyl-l ,3propanediol 2-N,N-diethylamino-l-phenyl-l,3-propanediol Z-amino-Z-ethyl-l-phenyl-l,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-methoxyethyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-ethoxyethyl-l,3-propanediol 2-aminol -(p-methoxyphenyl )-l ,3-propanediol Z-amino-l-(o-ethoxyphenyl)-l,3-propanediol 2-aminol a-naphthyU-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-(p-bromophenyl)-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-2-(p-iodophenyl )-l ,3-propanediol 2-amino-l-(m-fluorophenyl)-l,3-propanediol 2,2-bis(hydroxymentyl)-2,22"-nitrilotriethanol 2-hydroxymethyl-2,2,2"-nitrilotriethanol 2-hydroxymethyl-2,2,2-nitrilotri-l-propanal 2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-2,2'2"-nitrilotriethanol 2,2"-dimethyl-2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-2,22-

nitrilotriethanol l-hydroxymethyl-2,22"-nitrilotriethanol 22"-dimethyl-1-hydroxymethyl-2,2,2-

nitrilotriethanol Z-hydroxymethyl-l-phenyl 2,2,2l'-nitrilotriethanol 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-l ,3-propanediol 2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-2,2'iminodiethanol 2-hydroxymethyl-2,2'-iminodiethanol l-hydroxymethyl-2,2'-iminodiethanol l-(2-piperidyl)-l,Z-ethanediol l-N-piperidino-2,3-propanediol 2-benzyl-3-amino-l ,Z-propanediol 2-phenyl-3-amino-l ,2-propanediol 4-phenyl-3-amino-l ,2-butanediol 2-o-chlorophenyl-3-aminol ,Z-propanediol The catalyst of this invention is prepared by reacting the organomagnesium compound with the aminopolyol. In order to obtain uniform reaction, it is desirable to dissolve the aminopolyol, which is frequently a viscous liquid or a crystalline solid, in a solvent. Suitable solvents for the aminopolyols that may be used in the preparation of the catalyst include ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, or tetrahydrofuran, amines, and the epoxide that is to be polymerized.

The amount of solvent is not critical. The minimum amount is in general limited by the solubility of the aminopolyol.

The amount of organomagnesium compound reacted with the aminopolyol to give active catalyst should be such that some carbon-magnesium bonds remain unreacted. The amount should be within the range of from about 0.9 to about mole-equivalent of organomagnesium per mole-equivalent of aminopolyol (considering all amino groups non-reactive) and preferably in the range of 1.0 to 3.0. lfinsufficient organomagnesium compound is added, an inactive mixture results which can be activated by adding additional organomagnesium to obtain the desired ratio.

The temperature during the preparation of the catalyst should be within the range -80 to 150C. and preferably 060C. The reaction is exothermic but usually sufficient solvent is present so that the temperature rise with no external cooling is only a few degrees. Pressure is not critical, atmospheric pressure of slightly above in an inert atmosphere being commonly used.

Any epoxide containing a single oxirane ring may be homopolymerized, or copolymerized with a second such epoxide, by the process of this invention. Outstanding results are obtained with ethylene oxide and monosubstituted ethylene oxides where R is a hydrocarbon radical such as alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, which may contain functional groups non reactive with the catalyst. Exemplary of the epoxides that may be homopolymerized or copolymerized are the alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, 2,3-butylene oxide, isobutylene oxide, l,2-hexene oxide, 1,2-octylene oxide; and substituted alkylene oxides, for example, cyclohexene oxide, styrene oxide; glycidyl ethers, such as methyl glycidyl ether, ethyl glycidyl ether, hexyl glycidyl ether, phenyl glycidyl ether, o,m, or p-tolyl glycidyl ether, o,m, or p-chlorophenyl glycidyl ether; and unsaturated epoxides, such as, vinyl cyclohexene monoxide, butadiene monoxide, methallyl glycidyl either, o-,m-, or pallylphenyl glycidyl ether, and allyl glycidyl ether. Halogen-containing epoxides may also be polymerized by this process and are particularly important in the preparation of copolymers of alkylene oxides. Exemplary of such halogen-containing epoxides that may be so polymerized or copolymerized are epichlorohydrin, epibromohydrin, epifluorohydrin, trifluoromethyl ethylene oxide. Other compounds include amino epoxides, such as,

3-dimethylamino-l ,2-epoxypropane 3-diethylamino-l ,2epoxypropane 3-benzylemthylamino-l ,2-epoxypropane o,m, or p-dimethylaminophenyl glycidyl ether,

o,m, or p-diethylaminophenyl glycidyl ether; acetaland ketal-containing epoxides, such as,

l,l-dimethoxy-2,3-epoxypropane,

l ,1-diethoxy-2,3-epoxypropane, 2-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-tetrahydropyran;

glycidyl ethers of 4-hydroxyrnethyl-l,3dioxolanes; silane-containing epoxides, such as,

glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane; sulfone-containing epoxides, such as,

7-oxa-3-thiabicyclo[4.l.0.] heptane 3,3-dioxide; and nitrile-containing epoxides, such as,

B-cyanoethyl glycidyl ether.

The amount of catalyst used to polymerize the epoxides depends in part on the monomer, monomer purity and diluent purity. Less pure materials require more catalyst. In general, the catalyst will be in the range of about 0.001 to 10 mole-percent calculated as magnesium and based on moles of the monomer or monomers being polymerized and preferably will be within the range of from about 0.02 to 2.0 mole-percent.

The temperature of the reaction should be within the range to C and preferably 060C. Pressure is not critical, atmospheric pressure or slightly above being commonly used.

The polymerizations should be carried out in suitable apparatus that has been thoroughly cleaned. dried and flushed with oxygen-free inert gas. Two general procedures have been used. The catalyst can be prepared by dissolving the aminopolyol in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran and then adding a solution of the organomagnesium compound. The resulting relatively stable catalyst mixture is then added to a solution of monomer in ture or slightly above.

solvent and agitated at room temperature until poly-- merization is complete. The second method is to dissolve the aminopolyol in monomer, add solvent, then add the solution of organomagnesium compound and allow the polymerization to proceed at room tempera It is also desirable in some cases to dilute the polymerization mixture with an inert solvent. For this purpose a wide variety of solvents may be used. Especially useful are aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, ethers, amines and chlorinated solvents. When polymerizing ethylene oxide,'sufficient solvent is important to ensure adequate cooling so as to prevent an excessive increase in pres sure in the reactor.

The following examples more fully illustrate the practice of the instant invention.

EXAMPLES 1-3 The following three examples show the high conversions that can be obtained when polymerizing propylene oxide in various solvents.

In each of the examples a polymerization vessel filled with nitrogen was charged with the 2-amino-2-ethy1- 1,3-propanediol and the propylene oxide. After the aminodiol completely dissolved in the monomer, the solvent and the diphenylmagnesium solution in tetrahydrofuran were charged. Polymerization started immediately and the mixtures were agitated at room temper ature until no further polymerization was taking plac (18 hrs. or longer).

The poly (propylene oxide) produced was isolated by evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure.

' intrinsic \iscosities. unless otherwise noted. were run at 60C in toluene.

The examples demonstrate the high conversions and relatively large amounts of highly crystalline polymer per gram of diphenylmagnesium obtained with this catalyst in various hydrocarbon solvents.

EXAMPLE 4 This example shows the rapid rate of polymerization of ethylene oxide using the organomagnesium catalyst.

1n the polymerization vessel were placed 0.72 ml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1.3-propanediol. 350 ml of benzene and 131.7 g. of ethylene oxide. After a homogeneous solution was obtained, 36 ml of 0.28 M diphenylmagnesium in tetrahydrofuran were added. The polymerization started immediately and after minutes the vessel was opened and the polymerization stopped by exposure to air. Isolation by the procedure of Examples 1-3 gave 60.4 g. (46 percent conversion) of high molecular weight, crystalline poly(ethylene oxide).

This example shows the significant conversion (46 percent) that can be obtained in 10 minutes using the organomagnesium catalyst.

EXAMPLES 5-6 The following examples show the rapid rate of polymerization of propylene oxide using the organomagnesium catalyst.

The catalyst mixture used in examples 5 and 6 was prepared as follows: 0.38 ml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-l,3- propanediol were dissolved in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, than 18 ml ofO.3 M diphenylmagnesium in tetra- Table I1 Propy- Cata- 71 Con- Ex. lene Tol lyst veroxide uene 7 Mix. Time -Yield sion l.V.

5 30.5g 50ml 18ml 1hr. 18.6g 61% 13.1 6 313g 50ml 18ml 5hr. 24.4g 78% 13.0

These examples show that the polymerization of propylene oxide with my organomagnesium catalyst is rapid at room temperature especially during the first half of the polymerization.

EXAMPLE 7 This example shows the high conversion that can be obtained when polymerizing ethylene oxide.

The polymerization of ethylene oxide was carried out by the procedure of examples 5-6. To a solution of 29.9 g. of ethylene oxide in 100 ml of heptane were added 3.1 ml of a catalyst mixture prepared from diphenylmagnesium and 2-amino-2-ethyl-l ,3- propanediol as in Examples 5-6. When the polymerization was complete, the granular polymer was separated from the solvent and dried in a vacuum oven. The conversion was 22.5 g. or percent of high molecular weight poly (ethylene oxide), l.V. (water, 30) 5.1.

This example shows that high conversion of ethylene oxide can be obtained using only a small abmount of diphenylmagnesium-2-amino-2-ethy1-l ,3-propanedio1 catalyst. Y

EXAMPLE 8 This example shows that the presence of tetrahydrofuran or other ethers is not necessary to obtain good results with organomagnesium catalysts.

A polymerization vessel filled with nitrogen was charged with 0.19 ml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1 .3- propanediol, 40 ml of propylene oxide and 30 mlof toluene. After the aminodiol completely dissolved, 22 ml of(). 121 M diphenylmagnesium in benzene (ether free) was added. The mixture was agitated at room tempera ture until no further polymerization was taking place. Evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure gave a quantitative yield of high molecular weight poly(propylene oxide).

This example shows that no ether is necessary to obtain a highly active catalyst from organomagnesium The results show that there are considerable differences depending on the compounds used with diphenylmagnesium to prepare the catalyst. All give poly(propylene oxide) with high crystallinity and high compounds. molecular weight. The conversions vary considerably EXAMPLE 9 with the structure of the compound.

This example shows that good results can be obtained EXAMPLES l6 and 17 with the diphenylmagnesium in benzene in the presence of tetrahydrofuran for comparison with Example 10 In each of these examples 4-0 ml of propylene oxide 8. were polymerized and the polymer isolated by the pro The catalyst mixture used in this example was precedure of Examples 1-3. The compound was dissolved pared by adding 22 ml of 0.121 M diphenylmagnesium in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran or dioxane prior to adding in benzene (ether free) to a solution of 0.19 ml of 2- the 0.3 M (9 ml.) diphenylmagnesium in tetrahydroamino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol in 10 ml of tetrahydrol5 furan. Other details and results are given in Table IV.

Table IV Catalyst Coreactant 71 Example Solvent (molar ratio) Conversion l.V. Crystallinity 16 50 ml toluene l0 ml L(+)-threo-l-phenyl 100% 9.1 high tetrahydrofuran 2-amino-l,3-propane diol, 0.30 g (.67) 17 40 ml toluene 10 ml 0.19 ml 2-amino-2- 100% 12.4 high dioxane ethyl-1.3-propancdiol (.67)

furan and aging 30 minutes at room tempera r The 30 The results show that outstanding conversions are polymerization was carried out at room temperature by obtained with 2-amino-2-ethyl-l ,3-propanediol and 1- adding the catalyst to a solution of 40 ml of propylene phenyl-Z-amino-l ,3-propanediol. oxide in 37 ml of toluene. The polymer was isolated by evaporating the solvents in a vacuum oven. A 97 per- EXAMPLES 18*21 cent conversion to high molecular weight poly (propy- 35 These examples show the differences obtained by lene oxide), I.V. 5.9. was obtained. This shows the varying the organomagnesium compound used to pretetrahydrofuran is an inert solvent for the polymerizapare the catalyst. tion. In these examples the organomagnesium solution was prepared from the corresponding organomercury com- EXAMPLES 10 to 40 pound in tetrahydrofuran. The polymerization and iso- These examples show the results using various lation of polymer was carried out by the procedure of aminopolyols with diphenylmagnesium for polymeriz- Examples 5-6. In each case 40 ml of propylene oxide ing propylene oxide. in 50 ml of toluene were polymerized at room tempera- In each of these examples 40 ml of propylene oxide ture. The catalyst was prepared by reacting the orwere polymerized and the polymer isolated by the pro- 45 ganomagnesium solution in tetrahydrofuran with 0.19 cedure of Examples 1-3. The diphenylmagnesium soluml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol in 10 ml of tettion in tetrahydrofuran was 0.3 M (9 ml.). Thirty-one rahydrofuran in each example except example milliliters of solvent were used. Other details and rewhere only 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran was used. Results sults are given in Table III. are given in Table V.

Table III Catalyst Coreactant Example Solvent (molar ratio) Conversion LV. Crystallinity l0 tetrahydrofuran 0.155 g 3-amino-l.2- 327: 8.1 (Toluene 30) high propanediol (.67) v 11 toluene 0.18 ml S-dimethyl- 34% 7.0 high amino-1,2-propanediol (.67) 12 toluene 0.22 ml 3diethyl- 2871 12.0 high amino-1.2-propanediol (.67) I3 toluene 0.22 ml 3-diethanol- 787! 7.5 high amino-LZ-propanediol (.33) 14 toluene 0.15 ml 2-amino-l,3- 4.5 high propanediol (.67) 15 benzene (H8 g 2-amino-2-methyl- 3571 8.9 (Toluene high IJ-propancdiol (.67)

- Table V Catalyst Example Organomagnesium Conc. Coreactant Conversion 1.V. Crystallinity l8 8 ml di-n-butyl- 0.33M 0.19 ml Z-amino-Z-ethyl- 100% 11.5 high magnesium 1,3-propanediol l9 8 ml diisopropyl- 0.37M 0.19 ml 2amino-2-ethyl- 100% 15.0 high magnesium 1,3-propanediol 20 9 m1 di-p-tolyl- 0.3M 0.19 ml 2-amino-2-ethyl- 54% 13.6 high magnesium 1,3-propanediol 21 ml di-2-thienyl- 0.3 M 0.19 ml 2-amino-2 ethyl- 11.6% high magnesium 1,3-propanediol This example shows that dialkylmagnesium com- 9 pounds give equally high conversions and high molecular weight polymer as diarylmagnesium compounds.

EXAMPLE 22 I ture by adding 19.7 ml of the catalyst mixture to a solution of 40 ml of propylene oxide in 50 ml of toluene.

. After the polymerization was complete the polymer was isolated by washing with dilute hydrochloric acid and drying. An amorphous polymer of I.V. 9.5 was obtained in 58 percent conversion.

This example shows that organoaluminum compounds can be used with aminopolyols to polymerize propylene oxide to high molecular weight polymer. the aminopolyol gives much higher molecular weight polymer than usual with organoaluminum compounds.

EXAMPLE 23 This example shows the results obtained with an organozinc compound and an aminopolyol.

The catalyst mixture was prepared by dissolving 1.26 ml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol in 10 ml of dioxane, then adding to ml of toluene and 11.7 ml of 1.5 M diethylzince in toluene. To the well mixed catalyst was added 42 ml of propylene oxide. The polymerization mixture was heated at 50 "C until polymerization was complete. The polymer was isolated as in Example 22. A polymer with high crystallinity and l.V. 1.75 was obtained in 23.5 percent conversion.

The example shows that organozinc compounds can be used with aminopolyols to polymerize propylene ox ide.

. EXAMPLE 24 tion of 0.19 ml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-l,3-propanediol in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran and aging 30 minutes at room temperature. The polymerization was carried out at room temperature by mixing the catalyst mixture with 50 ml of toluene and 40 ml of propylene oxide. 1501ation gave a 96 percent conversion of high molecular weight (I.V.

15.0), amorphous poly(propylene oxide).

This example. shows that organomagnesium halide' can be present in the catalyst mixture without reducing the activity of the catalyst. The organomagnesium chloride addition is one effective method of reducing the crystallinity of the poly (propylene oxide) obtained.

EXAMPLES 25a-d This example was designed to show approximately the optimum ratio of the diphenylmagnesium-Z-amino- 2-ethyl-l ,3-propanediol catalyst.

The polymerization of propylene oxide and isolation of the polymer was carried out by the procedure of Examples 5-6 using the proportions given in Table VI. The ratio is the ratio of moles of 2-amino-2-ethyl-l ,3- propanediol to moles of diphenylmagnesium.

This Example shows that the most effective ratio lies between 1:1 and 1:2. Excessive diphenylmagnesium reduces the conversion.

EXAMPLE 26 a-d This example was designed to show that the diphenylmagnesium-2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol catalyst is stable for several days.

The catalyst was prepared by reacting together a solution of 0.85 ml of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanedio1 in 45 m1 of dioxane with 41 ml of 0.3 M diphenylmagnesium in tetrahydrofuran at 0C. The catalyst mixture was stored at approximately until used to polymerize a solution of 40 ml of propylene oxide in 40 ml of toluene by the procedure of Examples 5-6. Table V11 gives the results.

The example shows that the catalyst is stable at 0 for at least 72 hours.

Table Vll Example 26a 26b 26c 2611 Storage time l hr. 24 hrs. 48 hrs. 72 hrs. at C Amount of l9 ml l9 ml 19 ml 19 ml catalyst mixture "/1 Conversion 8871 10071 I007: 997! l.V. (Toluene l5.5 16.3 ll.5 ll.6 60) Crystalhigh high medium low linity EXAMPLE 27.

lOO percent conversion of high molecular weight amorv phous copolymer was obtained.

The example shows that the catalyst is useful in preparing copolymers of propylene oxide with unsaturated epoxides to give polymers with unsaturation for curing.

EXAMPLE 28 This example shows the high stereoregularity of the poly(propylene oxide) obtained using the organomagnesium aminopolyol catalysts.

Samples of poly(propylene oxide) prepared in Examples l2 and 14 and one prepared similar to example l7 were compared for solubility and amount of swell in acetone as a relative measure of stereoregularity. The results are given below. The swell value is the ration of weight of the swollen polymer sample and the dried polymer.

Table Vlll "/1 Insoluble Swell Value 0C 25C 0C 25C Polymer from Example l2 8971 4.8 Polymer from Example l4 9871 3.9 Polymer similar to Example 17 99% 95% 2.1 4.)

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A composition which comprises the reaction product of l) 0.9 to 20 moles of an organometallic compound selected from diarylmagnesium. dialkylmagnesium, dithienylmagnesium, trialkylaluminum. diulkylzinc, and arylmagnesium chloride; and (2) one mole of an aminopolyol corresponding to one of the general formulas:

l l l l I OH NR; 011 NR; 011: OH

from 1:1 to 1:3.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the metal in the organometallic compound is magnesium. aluminum, or zinc.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon radical in the organometallic compound is a lower alkyl having l to 6 carbon'atoms, a phenyl or a tolyl group.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is diphenyl magnesium.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is dibutylmagnesium.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is ditolylmagnesium.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is tributylaluminum.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is diethylzinc.

10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aminopolyol is an aminopropanediol wherein all the R's bonded to the carbons are hydrogen and the Rs bonded to the nitrogen are hydroxyalkyls having from i to 6 carbon atoms.

11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the aminopropanediol is 3-diethanolamino-l,2-propanediol.

12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aminopolyol is an aminopropanediol and the R bonded to one carbon atom is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group and all the other Rs are hydrogen.

13. The composition of claim -l2 wherein the aminopropanediol is 2-amino-2-ethyl-l ,3-propanediol.

14. The composition of claim 12 wherein the aminopropanediol is l-phenyl-2-mino-l,3-propanediol.

15. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aminopolyol is a hydroxyethylamino compound wherein R is hydrogen.

16. A composition obtained by reacting from 1 to 3 mole of diphenylmagnesium with 1 mole of 2amino-2- ethyl-l ,3-propanediol. 

1. A COMPOSITION WHICH COMPRISES THE REACTION PRODUCT OF (1) 0.9 TO 20 MOLES OF AN ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUND SELECTED FROM DIARYLMAGNESIUM, DIALKYLMAGNESIUM, DITHIENYLMAGNESIUM, TRIALKYLALUMINUM, DIALKYLZINC, AND ARYLMAGNESIUM CHLORIDE; AND (2) ONE MOLE OF AN AMINOPOLYOL CORRESPONDING TO ONE OF THE GENERAL FORMULAS:
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the organometallic compound to the aminopolyol is from 1:1 to 1:3.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the metal in the organometallic compound is magnesium, aluminum, or zinc.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon radical in the organometallic compound is a lower alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a phenyl or a tolyl group.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is diphenyl magnesium.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is dibutylmagnesium.
 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is ditolylmagnesium.
 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is tributylaluminum.
 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the organometallic compound is diethylzinc.
 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aminopolyol is an aminopropanediol wherein all the R''s bonded to the carbons are hydrogen and the R''s bonded to the nitrogen are hydroxyalkyls having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
 11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the aminopropanediol is 3-diethanolamino-1,2-propanediol.
 12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aminopolyol is an aminopropanediol and the R bonded to one carbon atom is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group and all the other R''s are hydrogen.
 13. The composition of claim 12 wherein the aminopropanediol is 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol.
 14. The composition of claim 12 wherein the aminopropanediol is 1-phenyl-2-mino-1,3-propanediol.
 15. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aminopolyol is a hydroxyethylamino compound wherein R'''' is hydrogen.
 16. A composition obtained by reacting from 1 to 3 mole of diphenylmagnesium with 1 mole of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol. 